UKLN Chernivtsi-Leonid Kadeniuk International Airport

Chernivtsi–Leonid Kadeniuk International Airport (IATA: CWC, ICAO: UKLN) located in the city of Chernivtsi in western Ukraine, Chernivtsi–Leonid Kadeniuk International Airport boasts a rich and historic legacy.

The current airport layout was conceived in the early 1930s and officially opened on May 24, 1933. Its terminal building was designed by the renowned Romanian architect Constantin Dragu.

Aviation Milestones:

International Service (1937): On March 28, 1937, the airport launched its first international route. Operated by LOT Polish Airlines and LARES, the route connected Palestine to Poland, with stops including Lydda, Rhodos, Athens, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Bucharest, Cernăuți (Chernivtsi), Lwow, and Warsaw. Initially served by Lockheed L-10A Electra aircraft, the route was later supported by the Savoia-Marchetti SM.83.

Domestic Expansion (1938): A new domestic route—Cernăuți – Cluj – Arad—was introduced on June 15, 1938. Aircraft used included the Lockheed Electra, Savoia-Marchetti S.73, and eventually the Douglas B-23 Dragon.

Soviet Era Operations: During the Soviet period, the airport offered regular connections to key cities across the USSR, such as Kyiv, Odessa, and Moscow. Aircraft types included the Yak-40, Yak-42, and An-24, with An-12 aircraft dedicated to cargo services.

Modern Recognition: In September 2018, the airport was officially renamed in honor of Leonid Kadeniuk, Ukraine’s first astronaut, celebrating both his legacy and the region’s contribution to aviation.